Court asked to OK cost overrun for jail project
Unexpected soil conditions and debris are two factors in a request for a change order between Hays County and Turner Construction for the ongoing public safety bond project.
The Hays County Commissioners Court is expected to vote on the change order, which the agenda indicates could cost about $675,000. Unforeseen conditions at the jail addition building site have created complications; builders have encountered unexpected soil conditions, water infiltration into pier shafts, underground utilities that were not located where plans indicated they would be, and unexpected building debris requiring additional excavation and removal.
Commissioners are also set to revise the county’s budget calendar for Fiscal Year 2019. Because the commissioners voted on a proposed effective tax rate, the two tax rate public hearings originally scheduled are not required. The commissioners are still set to hold a public hearing on the budget, adopt the budget and set the tax rate on Sept. 18.
The commissioners court will hold a public hearing at 11 this morning regarding payments authorized under the Texas Healthcare Transformation and Quality Improvement Program waiver. Hays County participates in a County Health Care Provider Participation Program. Such programs authorize a county to collect mandatory payments from each institutional health care provider located within the county. Those payments are then deposited in a local provider participation fund that the county can use to fund certain intergovernmental transfers and indigent care programs. Central Texas Medical Center and Seton Medical Center Hays both supported the creation of the program in Hays County. During this morning’s hearing, the court will set the fiscal year 2018 assessment rate and consider approval of the amount of payments received from each hospital.
In other business this morning, the commissioners are expected to vote on amendments to the 2018 Sheriff and Constable Fees. The constables are asking the court to consider granting a waiver of vehicle usage fees for some public services.
The Hays County Commissioners Court will meet at 9 a.m. on the third floor of the Hays County Courthouse. Meetings are also streamed live at https://bit.ly/2svTGVY.
rblackburn@sanmarcosrecord.com
Twitter: @arobingoestweet
